SAT Prep That Feels Like a Win, Not a Punishment—Here’s How This Student Did It

Challenge
For Mana Sipayi, schoolwork was usually something to dread. Homework? A hassle. A 3-hour SAT class? Guaranteed boredom. So when she signed up for Prep Expert®, she didn’t expect to love it, let alone look forward to the assignments.
“I actually enjoyed doing the assignments, which is surprising since I generally HATE schoolwork.”
Her initial SAT score was 1320, and she was hoping for a serious boost. But what she found in Prep Expert® was more than improvement, it was a total mindset shift.
Solution
Mana was placed with Dr. Ilia Kolmagorov, whom she describes in one word: INCREDIBLE.
“He was such a chill teacher who actually cared about his students and WANTED to be here to help.”
Despite 3-hour classes, Dr. Ilia’s humor, lightheartedness, and structure made sessions feel engaging, not exhausting. The course also stood out for its well-designed homework system:
- Elaborate assignments that felt useful (not tedious)
- Clear structure that helped track measurable improvement
- Encouraging classroom energy, led by a teacher who genuinely cared
“I could feel myself getting better and better each time I finished a new assignment.”
Results
After just 6 weeks with Prep Expert®, Mana experienced:
✅ A 260-point improvement, from 1320 ➝ 1580
✅ Renewed motivation and enjoyment in academic work
✅ A total mindset reset about long-form classes
✅ A clear recommendation to others who want fast, dramatic results
“So much improvement in just 6 weeks is phenomenal. No other words.”
Recommendation
Mana went from skeptical to sold, not just on her score gains, but on the experience itself.
“Prep Expert® was an absolute LIFE SAVER. LITERALLY.”
“Prep Expert® on top, no doubt. 10/10 would recommend!!”
Written by Dr. Shaan Patel MD MBA
Prep Expert Founder & CEO
Shark Tank Winner, Perfect SAT Scorer, Dermatologist, & #1 Bestselling AuthorMore from Dr. Shaan Patel MD MBA
Test Prep Strategies for Students Entering High School
SAT and ACT preparation does not begin with a stopwatch or a full-length practice exam. It begins with the academic…
When Should You Start Taking AP and College Classes?
There is no trophy for taking your first AP class before everyone else. The goal is to challenge yourself when…
Goodbye, paper SAT: Here’s what actually changed and how you should be prepping
The College Board fully retired the paper SAT in 2024, replacing it with a digital, section-adaptive test that runs about…